Round out your homeschool education

Applied Psychology (fall)

Who am I in this changing world?

Can Ancient Greek myths teach us about empathy? How did the Chinese Cultural Revolution demonstrate the dangers of social conformity? How does the FBI predict human behavior? Do first impressions really affect our perception of others? As high school students prepare for independence in an unprecedented world, this class offers a safe space for learning and discussion about relevant issues facing young adults today. Students will explore the science behind personality types, learning styles, discover strengths and weaknesses, learn to define their purpose, and understand their personal limits. Learning from the lives of remarkable historical figures, we will examine the cultural issues that seem to define the modern day and how to use a unique Christian perspective in our approach to the Good Life.

Applied Psychology is for juniors, seniors, and motivated 10th graders.

• Homework: 30-45 minutes 3 times/week

• Credit: 1/2 credit per course for high school

Cadence Youth Orchestra

Making music to share and enjoy

In keeping with the culture of Greenhouse, Cadence will seek to make and share meaningful music in a community. The orchestra is designed for string players of various skill levels, and open to parents and older siblings of students as well. A family-friendly concert will cap each 11-week session. The repertoire will span classical, folk and sacred music.

Cadence has both an intermediate orchestra (Orchestra Allegretto) and advanced orchestra (Orchestra Allegro). Generally, the intermediate orchestra is for those who have completed Crickets 2 or Suzuki book 2 (or equivalent); while the advanced orchestra is for those have finished book 4 or more.

• Sections: Intermediate (Orchestra Allegretto - Crickets 2 or Suzuki book 2) and Advanced (Orchestra Allegro - Suzuki book 4+)

• Instruments: Violin, flute, viola, cello, and bass. We may accept other instruments on a case by case basis to accommodate siblings (no piano or guitar).

• Prerequisites: To be part of the Advanced Orchestra requires approval from the Director and will be based on an audition, or current repertoire with the student’s private teacher.

• Homework: Practicing 1-2 times per week

Elementary Latin

Listen, read, and play in Latin!

In this class, students will become familiar with Latin basics through stories, games, and conversations, in a mixture of Latin and English. The core text is Barbara Bell's Minimus: Starting Out In Latin, which tells the story of a family in Roman Britain in the late first century AD.

Students will encounter a variety of stories beyond the core textbook, including mythology, legends, and history from other eras and regions of the Latin-speaking world.

• Prerequisite: A student must read at or above the 3rd grade level or seek teacher's prior approval.

• Homework: Short reading assignments and optional supplementary work.

• Text: Minimus: Starting Out In Latin by Barbara Bell

Latin 3-4 Combo

Listen, read, play, think in Latin!

In this 2nd-year class, students continue to learn to comprehend, speak, play, and think in Latin. Picking up where Latin 1-2 left off, the story of a Roman family in the second century A.D. is at the heart of Hans Ørberg's Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana. Students absorb vocabulary and grammar inductively as they learn about Roman culture, history, and mythology.

This combination course covers Latin 3 and 4 during a single year. This pace is suitable for students who are able to focus on reading for a significant amount of time each week, which will allow the class to cover the equivalent of a full year of college Latin over the course of 2 years at Greenhouse. Students will encounter a variety of stories beyond the core textbook, including mythology, legends, and history from other eras and regions of the Latin-speaking world.

• Versions: Latin 3-4 Combo can be taken at a Basic level for which written homework is optional, or at an Enhanced level which includes written homework.

• Prerequisite: Students need to have completed Latin 2 or Latin 1-2 Combo, or seek the teacher's prior approval.

• Homework: Reading 50-100 lines of text per week. Students seeking credit must also complete graded, written homework.

• Credit: 8th grade and up may take the Enhanced version of Latin 3-4 for 1 credit.

• Text: Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana by Hans Ørberg is used over multiple years.

Outdoor Adventure Skills

Prepare for when adventures call!

This course is designed as an introduction or supplement to basic outdoor living, adventuring, and camping skills with a focus on servant-leadership. Outdoor Adventure Skills will prepare high school students to participate in or lead adventure experiences beyond high school all from the foundation of a Christ-centered biblical worldview.

Topics will include things such as: rope craft, backcountry cooking, use of fires, health, hygiene, rationing, nutrition, safety, map and compass, adventure devotions, journaling, navigation, campsite and campground selection, permits, proper selection and use of equipment, shelters, creation care, how to pack a med kit, basic wilderness first aid, environmental awareness, and Leave No Trace ethics.

Because these skills get stronger with practice, students can profitably take this course multiple times.

• Homework: About 90 minutes of exercise, practice or project work per week

• Credit: 1/4 credit for high school students

Rivendell Writers & Readers Guild

Inspired by the Oxford Inklings

The Oxford Inklings group showed the world the power and potential impact of a small group meeting weekly in Christian fellowship to intentionally grow as writers and thinkers. In that same spirit, we will meet for 90-minutes each week to share original creative writings, offer feedback, and engage in hearty group discussion. The discussions will focus on topics near and dear to Chesterton, Lewis, Tolkien, and the Inklings, for example: Christ-centered Biblical worldview, the power of writing, imagination, spiritual maturation, abiding discipleship, apologetics, the writing process, poetry, the power of story, and living in what Lewis calls the True Myth.

Students must be willing to engage in literary analysis, philosophical inquiry, creative and analytical writing, honoring group discussion, and healthy feedback. Each participant is expected to arrive ready to read, write, and participate in small and large group discussion each day. This style of learning is decidedly independent and self-directed. In addition to many writing and reading skills, students will gain essential experience in large and small group discussion and cultivating Kingdom Fellowship within an academic setting.

• Homework: About 1-1/2 to 2 hours per week

• Credit: 1/4 credit for high school students. Those taking the class for credit will be evaluated based on participation, writing, and achievement of personal goals collaboratively set by Mr. D. and the student.

• Text: Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings by Diana Pavlac Glyer and James A. Owen

Spanish 3

Going further - ¡Habla Español!

Great for students who have interest in becoming more marketable in any field by seeking proficiency in the second most spoken language in our country.

This course builds on the language and grammatical structures acquired in Spanish 2. About 90% of class time is conducted in Spanish. As a result, students become increasingly familiar with how to communicate in Spanish. Students are exposed to large amounts of comprehensible Spanish in written, audio and video format.

• Sections: Class meets twice a week for 75 minutes each.

• Homework: 30-45 minutes 3 times/week

• Credit: 1 credit for high school

• Note: Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 are offered on alternate years.